WARREN GATLAND’S Wales have been warned they will be facing a partisan home-like crowd when they face Samoa at the World Cup after the south sea islanders became the hottest ticket in town.

The Western Mail has learned there has been a huge surge in demand to watch the Polynesians since their shock, but convincing 33-22 demolition of Australia at the weekend.

Ticket sales have gone through the roof and their September 30 clash with holders South Africa sold out within a matter of hours of their historic away victory over the Wallabies.

That Pool D game is being viewed by many Down Under as a potential group decider – despite the presence of Wales, Fiji and Namibia.

Remaining tickets for the game, at the 30,000-seat North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, were snapped up following the win over Robbie Deans’ men.

It’s only the fourth match of the tournament to sell out, the others being hosts New Zealand’s battles with France and Canada, and the clash between the French and Canadians at the 15,000-capacity McLean Park in Napier.

“There’s been an increase in demand to Samoa matches since the result,” said a Rugby World Cup spokeswoman.

“Samoa versus Fiji and Samoa against Wales are also selling really well.”

Wales open their bid for success against South Africa in Wellington on September 11 before taking on dangerous Samoa in Hamilton a week later.

Jonah Lomu’s former manager and mentor Phil Kingsley Jones last night described the excitement Down Under.

“Auckland has the largest Polynesian – Samoa, Fijian and Tongan – population in the world and expectations are high, although realistic,” said New Zealand-based Jones.

“They know they have got a good team but are aware of how tough a group they are in.

“I tried to tell then WRU technical director Jeff Young and the Wales coach Alan Davies before the 1991 World Cup how dangerous that Samoa team was but...”

Wales saw their hopes evaporate as they went down 16-13 at Cardiff Arms Park’s National Stadium in what was then one of the biggest shocks in international history.

Jones warned: “This Samoa team is more dangerous because they are professional today.

“Most of their players are playing in European or Super 15 rugby and, as we saw against Australia, they will be a handful.”

But he said: “It’s not only Wales who should be worrying because I think South Africa will struggle against Samoa.

“Wales’ match with Samoa is going to be huge. Samoa will have a massive following because Hamilton isn’t too far from Auckland.”

Jones, who is organising a Welsh-themed rugby weekend at Manurewa to coincide with the World Cup showdown between the old adversaries, believes there will be split loyalties at Waikato Stadium.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is from Hamilton and has garnered support from the Kiwis.

“Nobody is talking up Wales, with their recent record, and they are going to have to find their best form to have a chance of getting out of the group because it’s not just Samoa and South Africa they have got to worry about, but Fiji as well.

“Samoa beat us in 1991 and 1999, both times in Cardiff, while Fiji put us out four years ago, so we’ve got a job on our hands,” added Jones.

The top two finishers from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals. After taking on South Africa and Samoa, Wales face Namibia and Fiji.